Since gaining independence, Bangladesh has transformed its fisheries sector, becoming the world’s third-largest inland fish producer. This success story is rooted in the dedicated efforts of researchers who have developed 83 fish varieties along with advanced breeding and farming technologies, now widely used across the country’s fish farms and hatcheries.
Initially, Bangladesh relied on open water bodies for fish. However, today, farmed fish from enclosed water bodies play a crucial role. According to the Yearbook of Fisheries Statistics of Bangladesh 2021-22, the country produces 21.66 lakh tonnes of fish in ponds, contributing nearly half of the total fish production of 47.59 lakh tonnes.
Among the key contributors to this success are pangas and tilapia. Introduced from Thailand in the early 1990s, pangas farming in Bangladesh has grown significantly, with annual production reaching 4 lakh tonnes. This was made possible by local hatcheries that started producing juvenile fish in the early 2000s. Similarly, tilapia, another fish introduced from Thailand, began commercial farming in the 1980s. Due to its fast growth and profitability, tilapia farming spread rapidly. Today, Bangladesh ranks fourth globally in tilapia production.
The Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, established in 1984, has been instrumental in these advancements. The institute has developed breeding techniques for 40 endangered fish species, boosting production. For example, the new rohu variety yields 20.12% more than traditional varieties, while the new koi variety yields 12% more.
Small fish varieties have also seen a production boost, rising from over 60,000 tonnes in 2008-09 to more than 2.5 lakh tonnes today. This includes species like pabda, koi, and tengra, which are now more readily available.
Hilsa, the national fish of Bangladesh, has also seen increased production due to conservation measures during breeding seasons. Production has risen from 3.4 lakh tonnes in 2010-11 to 5.67 lakh tonnes, making Bangladesh the world’s top producer of hilsa.
With 977 hatcheries, 874 of which are privately owned, Bangladesh’s fisheries sector has grown significantly. The country now ranks third globally in inland open-water fish production, fifth in farmed fish production in enclosed water bodies, and eighth in marine fish capture. These achievements highlight the critical role of scientific research and innovation in boosting fish production and ensuring food security.
Source-The Business Standard
